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eLearning Series:
Relieve My Back Pain NOW!
( 23 pages )
Back Pain
Treatment: Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient
form of Chinese medicine that has been around for more than 2,500 years
and is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for back pain. According
to the theory of acupuncture, energy—called chi or qi—flows through the
body along pathways called meridians. If the flow of chi is interrupted,
pain or illness can occur. When that happens, very thin needles can be
inserted along the meridians to correct the flow of chi.
No one is sure exactly why
acupuncture works. Eastern philosophy holds that the needles unblock interrupted
chi. Western medicine has a few theories of its own. Some believe acupuncture
stimulates the nervous system and the 2,000 energy centers in the body,
which in turn triggers the release of natural painkillers in the form
of endorphins, opioid peptides, and chemicals from the hypothalamus and
pituitary gland. Others believe that acupuncture needles help contracted
muscles relax, stimulate nerves in the legs, and decrease inflammation
of the nerves in the lower back.
Studies by the National Institute
of Health show that acupuncture is effective in treating back pain, and
2,500 years of success for the Chinese backs this up. Like all back pain
treatments, acupuncture seems to be most effective when used in conjunction
with other treatments. It is also very safe, with no known risks as long
as you chose a reputable practitioner. Needles are sterile, disposable,
and FDA-approved. In the U.S. they are used only one time, sealed before
use, and disposed as hazardous waste after treatment.
In the United States there
are over fifty acupuncture training schools, which require approximately
3,000 credit hours of study and offer the equivalent of a Master’s Degree.
Often an undergraduate degree is required for admittance to an acupuncturist
college. The first two years in acupuncture school are spent in classroom
study, the third year is spent as an apprentice to a licensed acupuncturist,
and the fourth year is spent as in intern working under supervision on
patients. States have different requirements for acupuncturists, but all
must take a state examinations and/ or a national exam in order to be
licensed to practice. To find an acupuncturist, contact the American Academy
of Medical Acupuncture.
During an acupuncture treatment
session, the practitioner will insert anywhere from one to twenty needles
into various places in the body. Some needles may go in just under the
skin, while others may go deeper into muscle and fat. Needles will be
left in from fifteen to thirty minutes. The practitioner may turn needles
one way or another after inserting them into the body, or leave some in
for only a few seconds before removing them and inserting them elsewhere
in the body. Don’t be surprised if the practitioner treats your back pain
by putting needles in your ankles, knees, or fingers. This is a technique
called percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS), where needles
are inserted into nerve centers and electrically stimulated. You can expect
to feel relief for chronic pain in about ten to fifteen treatments and
sooner for acute or sudden pain.
Other things an acupuncturist
may do:
- Use moxibustion, an herb
that is burned onto the needle before insertion to stimulate the area
being treated;
- Cupping: burn cotton in
a glass cup, which is then placed on the skin to create a vacuum; and
- prescribe herbal supplements
in addition to physical treatment.
You may be surprised to learn
that acupuncture is rarely described as painful. In fact, many people
find it relaxing and even fall asleep during treatment. Some people feel
energized. One reason for this is the type of needles used. Acupuncture
needles are very different from hypodermic needles. Instead they are very
thin and fine, like hair. They are also solid, whereas hypodermic needles
are not, as they are made to extract tissue. So getting acupuncture needles
inserted into your skin will feel nothing like getting a shot at the doctor’s
office.
When you are considering
acupuncture, it is important to make sure the practitioner is someone
you feel comfortable working with. Look for someone who is interested
in your whole health and takes time to ask and answer questions. Since
some medical doctors also practice acupuncture, you will want to make
sure they are licensed in acupuncture in addition to their other training.
To check if a practitioner is licensed and accredited, contact the American
Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
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